We cannot judge others without a fair trial

In the current environment, I am very concerned for the men in my life — my husband, my son, my son-in-law, my teenage grandsons, my brother and other relatives and friends.

It has come to pass that a mere allegation (or allegations) of sexual misconduct can destroy a man’s life. It began in earnest with Roy Moore who was running for the position of senator in Alabama. It moved on to Sen. Al Franken, Harvey Weinstein, and, now, Brett Kavanaugh. All of these men have been convicted by allegations on social media, television and newspapers. There have been no trials and, most important, no presumption of innocence. If this vitally important section of our laws and justice system is ignored it will cause an irreparable tear in the fabric of our country.

I understand that some women have been horribly abused by men and I am not minimizing the trauma to those women. However, everyone who is accused of committing a crime is entitled to a trial in front of a jury of his peers. Nobody should have the ability to destroy another person’s life without proof.

If this behavior of allowing judgment without proof or a trial is allowed to continue, will any man ever be free from concern that many years in the future some woman may accuse him of heinous actions? Think about it. CAROL HICKMAN Green Tree

Not a compromise

The editorial “A Way Out” published Sept. 26 is nonsense. The writer proposes a compromise to settle the Judge Brett Kavanaugh nomination roadblock. The compromise is to approve President Donald Trump’s nominee and then Mr. Trump to nominate a liberal candidate to the Supreme Court. This is not a compromise, but a cavein to the stonewalling and belligerent Democrats.

Judge Kavanaugh is a great man with impeccable credentials. The accusations against him, presented at the 11th hour of his conformation, have no factual support. The accuser’s four witnesses all deny any recollection of any such incident. The president is responsible for nominating judges to fill vacancies in the Supreme Court. Mr. Trump was duly elected and has the authority to make his own selections. It would be ludicrous for him to select a liberal candidate. Can you see former President Barack Obama nominating a conservative judge under any circumstances?

These confirmation hearings in the Senate are a constitutional action to confirm or deny the nominee the opportunity to serve on the Supreme Court. From the start, the Democrats have turned this hearing into a circus. Their theatrics have nothing to do with finding the truth about Judge Kavanaugh’s ability. A Republican effort to follow your editor’s suggestion for compromise would be a disaster and only lead to more partisan efforts. The real solution is not a compromise, but a willingness by the Democrats to do their job according to our Constitution. BOB VINCENT Upper St. Clair

Bad temperament

There is enough turmoil around and enough people weighing in on the past behavior of Brett Kavanaugh, nominee for the Supreme Court of the United States. The issue I would like to address is judicial temperament. This is the first time in my memory that a nominee for the Supreme Court has campaigned for the job. I am disturbed by Judge Kavanaugh seeking an interview on Fox News (and bringing his wife) and his continuing public statements concerning his past behavior.

My image of a judge, who is assumed to be impartial, is someone who hears all of the evidence and then makes a considered decision. Judge Kavanaugh is being nominated to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States where crucial decisions affect the lives of its citizens.

I hope the next associate justice on the Supreme Court will come without prejudice, with a clear mind and the temperament to make fair decisions. ADELAIDE SMITH Upper St. Clair

No one is perfect

Regardless of whether Judge Brett Kavanaugh did or didn’t do what his accusers say he did, he has been proven to be a person of high integrity over the past 40 years. I suspect that if we checked into our personal teenage years, most of us would have to admit we did things we are not proud of.

If we start judging people by what they did in high school instead of what they have done in their adult life, I suspect we would have to fire a large number of our current politicians, CEOs, teachers, doctors and other professionals.

Common sense tells me that teenagers do stupid things and they should not be punished their whole life for them. RITA FENNEY

Lincoln Place